This Business Owner Lost His Instagram Account

How This Business Owner Lost His Instagram Account... And What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

At Mark One Consultants, we see digital security threats affecting businesses of all sizes on a regular basis. But nothing hits home more than a real-world example – and that's exactly what happened recently to a local business whose Instagram account was hacked in a highly professional, targeted attack. Despite having two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, the hackers still managed to gain access, demonstrating just how sophisticated these threats have become.

We're sharing this story (anonymously, of course) not just to raise awareness, but to offer practical advice and insight into how you can protect your accounts – and what to do if the worst happens.

A Sophisticated Hack

The business owner first flagged the issue in a group message, explaining that his Instagram account had been compromised. The alarming detail? The attacker had bypassed 2FA. This naturally raised eyebrows, as 2FA is considered a strong defence against account takeovers.

As more information came to light, it became clear that the attack likely began with a phishing email, crafted to look like a standard Instagram alert. These emails often mimic legitimate notifications and can trick even tech-savvy users into taking the bait.

In this case, the attacker appears to have gained access to LastPass credentials via the phishing email. Since LastPass may store passwords and 2FA codes (depending on the setup), the hacker could then access both the Instagram account and the associated email account. With email access in hand, they likely changed recovery details (email and phone number) to lock the legitimate user out completely.

How the Hack Happened

While the exact method may vary from case to case, here's a breakdown of what likely occurred:

1. Phishing email received, disguised as a legitimate alert from Instagram.
2. User enters login details or LastPass credentials, thinking it's real.
3. Hacker gains access to LastPass and email account.
4. 2FA bypassed using recovery emails or device sync features.
5. Instagram account hijacked, recovery info changed.
6. Account details possibly sold on to other cybercriminals.

It's important to understand that some authentication methods are more secure than others. While SMS or WhatsApp-based 2FA can be intercepted or synced to other platforms, authentication apps like Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, or Okta Verify provide stronger protection.

Immediate Actions Taken

Thanks to input from knowledgeable contacts, the victim took quick and decisive action:

• All passwords were changed immediately, starting with email and Instagram.
• 2FA was re-enabled using a secure app instead of SMS or WhatsApp.
• Linked accounts and devices were audited, with unknown sessions removed.
• Recovery email and phone number settings were reviewed and corrected.
• A full malware scan was run on the computer used to click the phishing link.
• The email provider was contacted to help flag similar phishing attempts in future.

These steps are critical for anyone who has experienced a breach.

If you would like any help or guidance regarding cubersecurity, contact a member of the Mark One Consultants team.